Former Rutgers AD Pernetti hired by MLS team

NEW YORK (AP) — Ousted Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti has been named the chief business officer of the New York City Football Club.

The Major League Soccer team announced the appointment on Monday. The expansion team is a joint venture that pairs Manchester City Football Club with the New York Yankees.

Pernetti served four years as Rutgers' athletic director before being forced to resign in April for his handling of a scandal involving basketball coach Mike Rice, who verbally abused his players.

The popular Pernetti suspended and fined Rice, also forcing him to undergo anger management. University president Robert Barchi fired Rice after viewing films of the abuse four months later and then forced his athletic director to step down.

Pernetti, who helped to engineer Rutgers' entrance into the Big Ten Conference next season, will bring more than 18 years of business and media experience to his new job. He will oversee all business operations for the team, which is set to start play in 2015.

The club previously hired Claudio Reyna as director of all football operations.

"The post of Chief Business Officer attracted a significant number of high-caliber candidates, but Tim's extensive experience in New York sports business was particularly compelling," said Ferran Soriano, the team's chief executive. "He fits perfectly within our organization, adding different skills and talent to our existing international management group. He is the ideal person for this role."

The job is Pernetti's first since Rutgers.

"I relish the opportunity to be part of a global organization, and also to use my experience to create a first class club for New Yorkers and one in which they will always have a voice," Pernetti said. "This is a tremendously exciting time for all involved and interested in soccer in New York."